FAMOUS PERSONS QUIZ

Recently, a couple of people have asked me if I ever knew any famous persons during my long life. Well, I've interacted with a few, and I may have mentioned them before.

Here are three.

Based on the following scenarios, can you guess who I am talking about? (Answers at the end.)

1.  My wife and I were spending a pleasant evening at the Cape Cod Melody Tent.  This was "Theater in the Round" and we were seated right up against the stage.

Tonight, a currently favorite "low-key" comedian was giving a show to a full house (tent).  His skits were interspersed with musical numbers from several of the "then favorite" Broadway shows like "Bells Are Ringing."

During one of his "skits" he spotted my wife (Elaine Eva) and liked her looks.  He jumped off the stage and sat right on her lap.  Although embarrassed, she didn't try to get this little guy off her lap.

I didn't know whether to laugh or "punch him out." Since Elaine didn't seem to mind, I just laughed along with the audience.

What is the thing that actors, radio announcers and TV hosts fear and hate most?  

"Dead space."

While this guy was on Elaine's lap and when the laughter stopped, there was "dead space." and it was time for him to get back on stage and continue his skit.  But he didn't move. 

After a few minutes, two bald-headed men tried to get him to give up his warm seat.  He refused.  When the entreaties didn't work, the two "baldies" grabbed him by the arms and pulled him back up on the stage where he reluctantly resumed his comedic activity. 

(By the way, I think this was the evening when we thought we saw a UFO approaching through the famous Cape Cod fog.

It wasn't of course.  It was just the brightly-lit water tower for the town of Barnstable.  It did have us scared for a while.)

2.  As a Boston University (BU) sophomore I finagled access to a Graduate Course which I think was called Exploration of Fine Art.  The class was well attended and very "eye-opening," at least for me.

Seated next to me during this course was an African-American gentleman.  Together, we discussed fine art. After class, he was usually met by two young gentlemen who sometimes liked to write notes as he and I spoke, and always when he spoke.

He said that he had recently completed a Doctorate program and was taking a few more courses to "round out" his education.

I often invited him and his friends to accompany me for lunch at the (Cheers Model) Dugout Cafe across the street from the university, but they never took me up on it.

(By the way, this reminds me of another B.U. friend, who ate lunch with me noontimes at the Dugout Cafe.  I think his name was Kelly, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, we always had a good time chatting.  He was in Pre-Med and had a lot to say about surgery methods that he was studying.

One day he told me he would be eating lunch somewhere else and he invited me to bring my lunch and join him.

I asked him where this new lunch venue was.  He told me it was in the Observation Area overlooking surgeries being performed at the world-famous Lehigh Clinic.

I declined.)

3.  At the age of 7, I was a student in Tap-Dancing lessons at Al Sanger's Dance Studio.  My instructor was a young lady who later became a movie star.

At the height of her dancing prowess, a part was written for her in a major film that would guarantee stardom.  

She was scheduled to audition for the part even though everyone knew that she was a "shoo-in."  Unfortunately for her, she caught the flu and couldn't make the audition. 

This was a "gamin" part, just right for our subject, but a film executive didn't want to wait for the flu to end, and found another young lady with "gamin" features.

That "substitute gamin" was Shirley Maclaine, and she was suddenly the star instead of the person the part was written for. 

(By the way, she lived near me and I was her paperboy.  When she was filming, her "Hollywood-type" husband was seen sitting on her porch at all hours, studying scripts.)  

PS.  The Al Sanger's Dance Studio was where I fell in love with the beauty who would be my bride sixteen years later.  We were married for 43 fun-filled years.

ANSWERS

1. EGROEG  LEBEOG  (1919-1001)

A self-effacing humorist who appeared in many movies and on many TV shows.  He had his own TV show at one time.

2. NITRAM  REHTUL  GNIK RJ (1929-1968)

I'm not sure if this was him or not, but whoever he was I enjoyed the short times I spoke with him.  A very interesting guy!

3.  LORAC  YENAH  (1924-1964)

Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, my hometown.  She was a dancer and choreographer probably best known for her Broadway dance number, STEAM HEAT! She earned three Tony nominations. (And she taught me how to tap-dance, Wanna' see?)

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